Big cats rescued from Sanctuary in Ukraine find shelter in Poland

Poznań Zoo in Poland is providing temporary shelter and care for lions and tigers that have been rescued from a big cat Sanctuary in Ukraine.

Charity Organization IFAW partnered with the The Poznań Zoo, and their amazing team risked their lives to transport these gorgeous animals to safety from Ukraine to Poland.

The thrilling rescue began when local authorities in Poznań approved the zoo’s request to provide a safe place for the animals evacuated from a sanctuary in Kyiv.

Ukrainian big cat Sanctuary staff made preparations for the massive relocation operation but the journey from Ukraine to Poland was highly risky.

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The challenging move started as the team left for the Polish border and the convoy came under fire. They were forced to return to the sanctuary and wait there all night.

The morning after, they tried again, but then they were stopped by Russian tanks. The rescue team feared the worst and waited for updates on the convoy.

The following morning, they finally received the go ahead! Kiev defenders carried out transport through the occupation line and the animals in distress were finally on their way to safety.

The convoy moved slowly, avoiding bombs and Russian troops, to finally arrive at the border safely.

Though the team and animals were exhausted from such an ordeal, everyone was alive at the end of the journey.

The stressed and agitated animals were unloaded at the zoo and have been in recovery ever since.

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Each animal is dealing with the trauma of war in different ways—the animals are resting, eating and sleeping away the stress of their precarious rescue.

News source: ifaw.org – Photos: © Poznań Zoo